Figure of Edward V, with a crown suspended above his head, in the Line of Kings from the 'Horse Armoury' by Rowlandson and Pugin. 1809 (I.345b)

Statistics

Object Provenance:

English, about 1688-90

Object Number:

XVII.47

Max. height:

28 cm (11 in)

Max. circumference:

58 cm ( 22.8 in)

Weight:

1.696 kg (3 lb 12 oz)

James I (reigned 1603 – 1625)

Description

Construction

Two parts; extended at back.

Type of Wood

Soft Wood

Appearance

Painted realistically, with carved goatee beard and side locks covering where ears would be. No hair on forehead, but the tool marks on the extended back of the head resemble hair. Painted slim moustache extends to the sides of the mouth. Brown eyes looking forward.

Paint analysis

Four paint finishes. The ground appears to have been white, with an original pale pink flesh tone tinted with red ochre. The head has not been sanded down and the present finish is darker in its flesh tones and pure vermillion lips.

References:

ACN Borg Heads and Horses, 1976 p.326; plate LXXVIIIa (rt)

Other Notes

This head has also been identified as possibly representing Edward V. However in the current exhibition it is shown as James I.